Personal Security for Humanitarians Guide (HEAT)

Published: May 16, 2023 | Last Updated: October 17, 2024

Why Hostile Environment Awareness Training is Critical for Humanitarian Workers

As a humanitarian worker, your job involves working in some of the most challenging and dangerous environments in the world. You may be working in conflict zones, post-disaster areas, or other high-risk environments where the safety and security of you and your team are not guaranteed. In such situations, hostile environment awareness training (HEAT) can be critical to your safety and well-being.

HEAT training is designed to prepare humanitarian workers for operating in challenging and potentially dangerous environments. It covers a wide range of topics, from risk assessment and mitigation to first aid and security management. By undergoing HEAT training, you will gain the skills and knowledge you need to recognize and avoid potential dangers, respond to emergencies, and protect yourself and your team in hostile environments.

Why is HEAT training important?

HEAT training is essential for humanitarian workers operating in hostile environments because it provides them with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe and carry out their work effectively. Here are some reasons why HEAT training is critical:

It prepares you for potential dangers

HEAT training provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to recognize and avoid potential dangers in hostile environments. It covers topics such as risk assessment, situational awareness, and security management, which can help you stay safe and avoid dangerous situations.

It helps you respond to emergencies

In a hostile environment, emergencies can occur at any time. HEAT training equips you with the skills you need to respond to emergencies such as medical emergencies, natural disasters, or security incidents. It teaches you how to provide first aid, evacuate yourself and others from danger, and communicate effectively in crisis situations.

It enhances your security management skills

HEAT training provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to manage security risks in hostile environments. It teaches you how to develop security plans, assess threats, and implement security measures to protect yourself and your team.

It helps you work more effectively

By undergoing HEAT training, you will gain the confidence and skills you need to work more effectively in hostile environments. You will be better equipped to manage risks, respond to emergencies, and communicate effectively with your team and other stakeholders.

HEAT training can be a life-saving investment for humanitarian workers operating in hostile environments. It can help you stay safe, respond to emergencies, and carry out your work more effectively.

What does HEAT training cover?

HEAT training covers a wide range of topics, depending on the specific course and the organization providing the training. Here are some of the topics that may be covered in HEAT training:

Risk assessment and mitigation

HEAT training teaches you how to identify and assess potential risks in hostile environments, and how to develop strategies to mitigate those risks.

Situational awareness

HEAT training helps you develop situational awareness skills, which enable you to identify potential threats and respond appropriately.

First aid

HEAT training provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to provide first aid in emergency situations, including CPR, bleeding control, and fracture management.

Security management

HEAT training teaches you how to develop security plans, assess threats, and implement security measures to protect yourself and your team.

Communications

HEAT training covers effective communication skills in challenging environments, including the use of radios, satellite phones, and other communication devices.

Survival skills

HEAT training provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to survive in challenging environments, including how to find food and water, build shelter, and start a fire.

Overall, HEAT training is designed to provide humanitarian workers with the skills and knowledge they need to operate safely and effectively in challenging and potentially dangerous environments.

For humanitarian aid workers or charity professionals ATR's HEAT courses can equip you with the necessary skills to manage risks and operate confidently in challenging environments.

Once you have completed a course you will be better equipped

As Examples, after completing a course with ATR you will be:

  • Operationally ready to tackle any situation.
  • Confidence in your planning and contingency.
  • Identification of potential gaps in policy and procedure.
  • Improved awareness of current local and global, threats, risks and hazards.
  • Empowered to go anywhere in the world safely.